Mosquito species

This smallish, dark mosquito with conspicuous white markings on the scutum and banded legs is the primary vector of the viruses causing human Dengue and Yellow fever. In Asia, this species is also considered the principal vector of Chikungunya and O'nyong-nyong viruses while it is a potential vector of dog heartworm, Murray Valley encephalitis and Ross River viruses in Australia.

Aedes (Stegomyia) polynesiensis is dispersed through the South Pacific, occurring also in portions of the Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Tuvalu and other islands. Is is an important vector of dengue fever and filariasis and can also carry heartworm of dogs.

Anopheles gambiae is the major vector of Plasmodium falciparum in Africa and is one of the most efficient malaria vectors in the world. Every year, more than 500 million people become severely ill with malaria, with most cases and deaths occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and parts of Europe are also affected.

Anopheles quadrimaculatus (Common Malaria Mosquito) is most abundant in the south-eastern states, but is occasionally found in South Dakota. The Dakotas represent the northwestern boundary of this Anopheles species' territory.

Not much is known about the biology of Culex erraticus. It is found mainly in the southeastern United States. It overwinters as an adult female and lays its eggs on the leaves of aquatic plants in permanent water.

Mosquitoes of the genus Haemagogus are mostly found in tropical Central and South America and are medically important as vectors of sylvatic yellow fever virus, Ilheus virus and some other arboviruses.

Larvae of the Ochlerotatus sollicitans (Saltmarsh Mosquito) are more typically found in salt marshes in coastal areas, however, they can also develop in more inland areas associated with brackish water swamps.

The Psorophora cyanescens is a very attractive mosquito with blue bands on its abdomen and entirely black tarsi. It is found in southern states north into Illinois and Indiana, and is abundant in Oklahoma.

Mosquitoes of the genus Toxorhynchites are sometimes called mosquito hawks, because their larvae eat larvae of other mosquitoes, or elephant mosquitoes – because of their exceptional size. The wingspan of Toxorhynchites may exceed 12 mm (0.4 inches) and the body length may exceed 7 mm (0.2 inches).

Mosquitoes of the genus Culiseta are quite often called the “snow mosquitoes” because many of the species live in northern territories of taiga or mountain regions and females overwinter in adult stage under the snow.